Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD)

Holocaust Memorial Day 2024 - "Fragility of Freedom"

On, 27 January 2024, we honour the victims and survivors of The Holocaust and other genocides known nationally as Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD). We learnt lessons from their experiences to challenge hatred and discrimination in the UK today.

The theme for Holocaust Memorial Day 2024 was Fragility of Freedom.

The theme highlighted how the erosion of freedoms supports the progression of The Ten stages of Genocide.

Freedoms have different meanings to different people. Many take these freedoms for granted with little understanding of the impact of not having them. It is often difficult for people to see how reducing the freedoms of one section of society can also reduce their own freedom. 

The theme prompted us to consider the value of freedoms to ourselves, how we can prevent the erosion of those freedoms, and the consequences of not protecting them.

Holocaust Memorial Day 2023 - "Ordinary People"

The theme for 2023 was 'ordinary people', highlighting the ordinary people who let genocide happen, the ordinary people who actively perpetrated genocide, and the ordinary people who were persecuted. The theme also asks how ordinary people, such as ourselves, can play more of a part in challenging prejudice today.

We lit up Southwater One from dusk on 27 January visibly marking HMD. Across the borough, members of our communities demonstrated unity with the HMD 2023 message. They lit a candle and reflected on how they can be the light in the darkness.

Holocaust Memorial Day 2022 - "One day"

Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) is a day for everyone to remember the millions of people murdered in the Holocaust, under Nazi Persecution and in the subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. This year's theme is "One Day", it.focuses on how life can change forever in the hope that there may be One Day in the future with no genocide.

We will be releasing a recorded commemoration available for everyone to access on the day through our website, premiering at 11am, 27 January 2022. 

View the Holocaust Memorial Day 2022 Service on YouTube

We will also be lighting up Southwater One from dusk on 27 January visibly marking HMD. Across the borough, members of our communities will demonstrate unity with the HMD 2022 message. They will light a candle and reflect on how they can be the light in the darkness. We would encourage you to take part and share an image or video with us on:

Holocaust Memorial Day 2021 - "Being the light in the darkness"

Holocaust Memorial Day 2021's theme was 'Be the light in the darkness'. It encouraged everyone to reflect on the depths humanity can sink to, but also the ways individuals and communities resisted that darkness to 'be the light' before, during and after genocide.

It asked us to consider different kinds of 'darkness', for example, identity based persecution, misinformation, denial of justice; and different ways to 'be the light', for example, resistance, acts of solidarity, rescue and illuminating mistruths.

Due to coronavirus restrictionsorgansied an online commemoration.

View our HMD online commemoration.

Holocaust Memorial Day 2020 - "Stand Together"

HMD 2020 marked the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz - a significant milestone and made particularly poignant by the dwindling number of survivors who are able to share their testimony. It also marks the 25th anniversary of the Genocide in Bosnia.

The theme for HMD 2020 is Stand Together, explored how genocidal regimes throughout history have deliberately fractured societies by marginalising certain groups, and how these tactics can be challenged by individuals standing together with their neighbours, and speaking out against oppression.

Last updated: 17/01/2025 13:12